All posts tagged H.R. Giger

It’s that time of year again. The sun sets earlier and earlier, the dying leaves rustle in a chilly wind, and monster movies flood televisions — and dreams — across the land.

Not sure which beasties to watch? Horror filmmakers Colin Minihan and Stuart Ortiz, aka the Vicious Brothers, recently shared with Speakeasy their favorite movie monsters of all time. They also have a new movie, with its very own monster, out just in time for Halloween. “Extraterrestrial,” the indie duo’s third film, is available on demand in the U.S. on Friday and will be released theatrically in the U.S. next month. (Click through to the story to watch an exclusive, terrifying clip of the creature.)

So, crack open your pumpkin beer, turn down the lights, throw another log on the fire, and hit play. And also be sure to share with us your favorite movie monsters. Read More »

You may not know it, but H.R. Giger has permanently infected your imagination.

The Swiss artist – who died Monday at age 74 – is best known for his design of the titular beast in Ridley Scott’s “Alien,” as well as the repulsive facehugger creature that impregnates John Hurt’s character in that film. Beyond that, he worked on “Species,” the failed but endlessly influential “Dune” that would have been directed by fellow surrealist Alejandro Jodorowsky, as well as the 2012 “Alien” prequel, “Prometheus.”

Yet while his actual filmography isn’t too lengthy, stemming in large part from his frustration with the Hollywood system, Giger’s specific blend of biomechanical and psychosexual imagery has warped a generation of filmmakers and, by extension, audiences.

Here are five notable examples of movies that Giger didn’t make, but nonetheless echo his influence: Read More »

Two weeks ago, actress and singer Patti LuPone grabbed a cell phone out of the hand of an audience member who was texting during a performance of her current play, "Shows for Days." The bold move led to an outpouring of support from fans fed up with glowing screens. Ms. LuPone gives us her five rules of theater etiquette.